Jaleco Sports - Bases Loaded Review: Batter Up | The Gamerheads Podcast

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

Also on: Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)

Price: $7.99

One game that holds a special place in my heart is Bases Loaded. While we had NES Baseball and RBI Baseball on the NES, Bases Loaded felt like a move toward a more realistic baseball game. The player models were less cartoony, the presentation felt more TV-inspired, and the fact that players would rush the mound after getting hit by a pitch made it feel like something new. As a kid, it felt like we had unlocked something different from the baseball games that came before it.

For those who grew up playing Bases Loaded, or for players interested in revisiting a historic baseball game, Jaleco Sports: Bases Loaded is a great pickup.

Diving into Jaleco Sports: Bases Loaded on the Nintendo Switch brought back some fantastic memories. Baseball games have come a long way since the original release, and players who never experienced it may not have the same nostalgic connection. That said, for those who grew up playing Bases Loaded, or for players interested in revisiting a historic baseball game, Jaleco Sports: Bases Loaded is a great pickup.

Jaleco Sports: Bases Loaded includes two games: Bases Loaded, originally released on the NES, and Super Bases Loaded, which launched on the Super Nintendo. Personally, the original Bases Loaded has always been my favorite of the two. A lot of that comes down to nostalgia, but I also think it simply does some things better than the sequel. The TV-style presentation and featured teams feel more unique compared to Super Bases Loaded.

In Super Bases Loaded, field play is viewed from center field, whereas in Bases Loaded it is shown from a home plate perspective. This takes some getting used to.

Originally released in 1988, Bases Loaded features an umpire who actually talks. Hearing the ump call balls and strikes, or declare a player out or safe, adds to the TV-inspired presentation. Yes, games have done this better since, but in 1988 it was a very cool feature.

I also love how CPU batters swing their bat before a pitch, which adds to the game’s sense of realism. When a pitcher is switched out or a pinch hitter is brought into the game, a short cutscene plays on the jumbotron. As mentioned before, there are also moments when a batter is hit by a pitch and storms the mound. Some players are more hot-headed than others, and as a kid, I learned which batters were most likely to charge the mound. Hitting those players with a pitch, watching them attack my pitcher, and getting them ejected felt like something we had never seen in a baseball game before Bases Loaded.

Super Bases Loaded released in 1991 on the SNES. One of the main differences, aside from the graphics, is the fielding perspective. In Super Bases Loaded, field play is viewed from center field, whereas in Bases Loaded it is shown from a home plate perspective. This takes some getting used to.

Batting timing also feels very different. I found myself swinging much earlier to connect with the ball in Super Bases Loaded compared to the original game. Along with that, the TV-style presentation is removed. For example, instead of a pitcher arriving in a golf cart like in Bases Loaded, Super Bases Loaded simply presents a list of pitchers to choose from when making a change. There is no fanfare when the new pitcher takes the mound. I missed that presentation, and combined with the different camera perspective and timing changes, I prefer Bases Loaded over Super Bases Loaded.

Back in the day, games did not feature full seasons. Instead, I could choose between a versus match or a pennant race. That may seem strange compared to modern sports games, and while there were a few SNES titles that offered full seasons, this was fairly standard for the era and is to be expected.

Both games include a digital version of the instruction booklet and feature a rewind function. This comes in particularly handy when trying to get the timing down for hitting the ball. Yes, it also opens the door for cheating, as I can keep rewinding until I get the hit or pitch I want. That said, I appreciated having the option, as it made getting accustomed to the game much easier.

Final Grade: B+

Fans of Bases Loaded will absolutely want to get their hands on Jaleco Sports: Bases Loaded. With two games included, it stays true to the original format of both releases, and the addition of the rewind feature is a nice touch.

For baseball fans who never played Bases Loaded and are more accustomed to modern sports games, this collection may feel like it is missing some expected features, particularly stat tracking and season play. That said, if you are looking for a stroll down memory lane or want to experience a historic baseball game, Jaleco Sports: Bases Loaded is well worth your time.

Review code provided by Keymailer